subject: Simple Tips To Purchase Photo Paper [print this page] Photo paper is a type of paper that is used to print digital photographs. A few years ago, people who wanted to get their photographs printed had to take the camera roll or digital camera to a professional studio and pay a huge amount of money to get their photos printed. However now, thanks to the advancements made in the field of science and technology, it is possible to take printouts of your favorite photographs at home without having to spend money hand over fist. The inkjet and laser printers and the two printers that is ideal for printing photos at home. To get professional quality pictures, you also need to choose the right type of paper. Photo paper is unlike the regular paper in terms of weight and looks and is designed exclusively for use in printers.
The first tip, to keep in mind while buying photo paper, is the type of printer that you intend to use. Though there are dot matrix printers, the most commonly used ones are the inkjet and laser printers. It is important to remember that both printers do not use the same type of paper. The photo paper required for inkjet printers has a different set of specifications as compared to the paper needed for laser printers. This is because the technology used to print in both these printers is different. For example, glossy paper can be used to print photos using the inkjet printer, but it is not ideal for laser printers because the top plastic layer can get melted due to the heat generated by the fuser which melts the printer ink while printing.
The second tip to keep in mind while buying photo paper is to consider the various types available and their pros and cons before finalizing your choice. Though there are many types of papers under this category, the main ones that are used for printing photos at home are the matte paper and glossy paper. While the matte photo paper has a textured finish, the glossy paper has a smooth finish. The photos printed on the matte paper tend to dry sooner than the ones printed on the glossy paper. However, the photos printed on glossy paper look more realistic than the ones printed on matte paper.
The third tip is to ensure the photo paper has maximum whiteness. One of the main differentiating qualities between regular printing paper and paper for photos is the whiteness. On a scale of 0 to 100 for whiteness, papers that are used for printing photographs should have a value of 90 and above. There are certain vendors who try to pass out cheaper quality paper as photo paper by using artificial paper brightening agents. However, you can easily figure this out be noticing the color on both faces of the paper. If they are even and show no difference, you can be sure they are credible. If not, return it to the vendor and ask for a genuine one.
